Analysis of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Species Complex in Java, Indonesia Based on Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I Sequences

The study identified the putative species of whitefly ( Bemisia tabaci ) occurring on crops and weed plants in the pepper production systems of Java, Indonesia in order to manage whitefly-transmitted geminivirus diseases on hot pepper. Thirty-two populations of whitefly from different host plants were collected from areas in Indonesia (Bogor, Brebes, Cianjur, Kediri, Magelang and Rembang), and were identified using cytochrome C oxidase I (COI) sequences. COI sequences unambiguously distinguished B. tabaci genetic groups. Eighty-three out of 85 insects grouped with the Asia I genetic group, whereas only two insects from a weed ( Trianthema sp. ) grouped with the Asia II group. Evolutionary genetic distances measured by Kimura’s 2 parameter (K2P) model within the Asia I group ranged from 0 to 1.2% and the genetic distance within the Asia II group was 9.6%. The study clearly revealed that the B. tabaci genetic group in the pepper production systems of Java, Indonesia was highly homogeneous and belonged mostly to the Asia I group. Key Words: Bemisia tabaci , cytochrome C oxidase I, genetic group, Indonesia, pepper